Toll-like Receptor Signaling Promotes Development and Function of Sensory Neurons Required for a C. elegans Pathogen-Avoidance Behavior.

ABSTRACT: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play critical roles in innate immunity in many animal species. The sole TLR of C. elegans--TOL-1--is required for a pathogen-avoidance behavior, yet how it promotes this behavior is unknown. We show that for pathogen avoidance TOL-1 signaling is required in the chemosensory BAG neurons, where it regulates gene expression and is necessary for their chemosensory function. Genetic studies revealed that TOL-1 acts together with many conserved components of TLR signaling. BAG neurons are activated by carbon dioxide (CO₂), and we found that this modality is required for pathogen avoidance. TLR signaling can therefore mediate host responses to microbes through an unexpected mechanism: by promoting the development and function of chemosensory neurons that surveil the met

SUBMITTER: Brandt JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4642686 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature